Unai Emery hints Ollie Watkins REFUSED to play for Aston Villa in 4-0 Brighton thrashing amid Al Hilal transfer interest

UNAI EMERY hinted Ollie Watkins refused to play for Aston Villa. The Villa boss said he could not explain why Watkins was not in the squad for their rout at Brighton. Unai Emery hinted Ollie Watkins refused to play for Aston Villa Credit: Getty Emery’s side succumbed to an embarrassing 4-0 defeat against Brighton in the Prem Credit: AFP Striker Watkins, 30, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal this summer. The Villans are understood to have knocked back FOUR bids for the England star. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Asked why Watkins was not part of the Villa squad, Emery said: “This question is for him. I can’t answer. I can answer only with my silence.” Probed whether Watkins is refusing to play, Emery added: “I think you can call him. You can call his agent and he can respond. “It is not my responsibility. Only his answer can explain. I can’t. “I can answer about Emiliano Buendia, Ross Barkley, John McGinn. “But we have had this problem every season and we overcame it. “It is something we have to accept and we have always reacted.” Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Before kick-off, Emery replied “silence” when asked if Watkins had played his last game for the club. Watkins’ absence was coupled with injuries to Tammy Abraham and Brian Madjo, meaning Emery was forced to play without a recognised striker against Brighton. Brighton got four in 25 minutes, with Jack Hinshelwood and Maxim De Cuyper among scorers. Keeper Emiliano Martinez was also absent from Villa’s squad as he edges closer to a move. Emery has lost Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Youri Tielemans from his Europa League winners. And new £34million buy Joao Gomes is now banned for Villa’s home game against Arsenal next Monday after he picked up a red card for kicking out at Georginio Rutter. On his team’s poor performance, Emery said: “We made mistakes and they scored their goals. “In 20, 25 minutes we lost everything and it was a strange, strange moment. “Conceding four goals is not normal in my four years working here. “As well, the red card. Emotionally, we lost it a little bit.” Villa captain John McGinn said sorry to the travelling fans. He said: “The goals we conceded were poor. We obviously apologise to the supporters.” Comment now